Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

Life Beyond Hip-Hop: Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond the Music
In honor of Black Music Month, Black Voices has put together a list of artists who have not only achieved success in the rap world but also in other endeavors. From Queen Latifah, who once rapped about 'Ladies First' and has since gone on to become a well-regarded film actress and the face of CoverGirl cosmetics, to the multihyphenated Will Smith, these individuals have shown that the sky is the limit. Take a look at hip-hop's elite.

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

Ice Cube
Los Angeles, California native Ice Cube (real name: O'Shea Jackson) has amassed an impressive list of credits that include rapper, actor, screenwriter, film director and producer. As one of the members of the notable rap group NWA, Ice Cube penned many of the songs from the group's 1988 album 'Straight Outta Compton.' When he left the group, he went on to have a successful solo rap career and eventually a successful film and TV career with roles in such films as 'Friday,' 'Are We There Yet?' and 'Boyz N' the Hood.' Additionally, Ice Cube has taken his talents behind the camera as a director and also producer. He is also executive producer of the new TBS sitcom 'Are We There Yet?'

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

Jay-Z
A long way from the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up, Jay-Z (real name: Shawn Corey Carter) is a multi-million dollar-grossing rapper turned entrepreneur. Shooting to fame in the mid-1990s, with his classic debut album 'Reasonable Doubt' (1996) and other subsequent projects, Jay-Z has traveled a path many of his peers have not. His resume includes one-time president of the notable hip-hop label Def Jam Records, one of the founding members of Roc-A-Fella Records, co-owner of The 40/40 Club, co-creator of the clothing line Rocawear, part-owner of the NBA's New Jersey Nets, and most recently, founder of Roc Nation, a full entertainment company.

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

Andre Harrell
Though he was a part of the 1980s hip-hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, New York native Andre Harrell is most known as a successful record executive. As founder of the notable label Uptown Records, and one-time president and CEO of Motown Records, Harrell has molded such acts as Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, and Heavy D & The Boyz, as well as mentored hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs. He also is the man that discovered and first signed Robin Thicke to a record label deal.

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

Romany Malco
Long before this Brooklyn, New York native starred in box office hit movies such as 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' and 'Blades of Glory,' he was a part of the west coast rap group, The College Boyz. During the early 1990s, the handsome foursome released two albums 'Radio Fusion Radio' in 1992 and 'Nuttin Less Nuttin Mo' in 1994. Acting has proven to be much better for Malco, who portrayed MC Hammer in the VH1 biopic based on his life. He also starred in the hit Showtime series 'Weeds.'

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

Doug E. Fresh
Born in Barbados and raised in New York, Doug E. Fresh (real name: Douglas E. Davis) was an integral part of the early hip-hop scene in New York. The rap icon (known as the Human Beat Box (for his ability to imitate drum machines and effects using his mouth), has made such memorable hip-hop songs as 'La Di Da Di' and 'The Show' while with the Get Fresh Crew. With his sights on the food industry, the vegetarian announced plans to open the Harlem restaurant Doug E's Fresh Chicken and Waffle.

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

MC Lyte
Queens, New York native MC Lyte (real name: Lana Michele Moorer) is known as one of the top female emcees in the history of hip-hop. Able to hold her own in the male-dominated artform, Lyte deserves much more credit than just a notable female emcee. Her no holds barred attitude has taken her from the rap world to the TV world, where she has acted on such television shows as 'The District,' 'Half & Half' and 'In the House.' She has also built a successful career as in voiceovers. Recently, she signed on to become a voice for the branding of the STARZ cable network. Also, she opened the Los Angeles boutique Shaitel, which specializes in such accessories as belts and sunglasses.

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

Ice-T
Born in Newark, New Jersey and raised in Los Angeles, Ice-T (real name: Tracy Marrow) has had a successful career as a rapper, with such notable songs as 'High Rollers' and 'Colors,' and solidified his place in West Coast rap. He has parlayed his success in hip-hop into a successful acting career with roles in such films as 'New Jack City' and 'Trespass.' He also plays Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola on the popular TV drama series 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.'

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

Ludacris
Born in Champaign, Illinois and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Ludacris (real name: Chris Bridges) proves that he is more than a rapper. Shooting to fame in the 2000s as a rapper with distinctive wordplay, the talented artist turned his sights to acting, where he has excelled in such films as the Academy Award winner 'Crash' and the John Singleton-produced 'Hustle & Flow.' Other ventures include a fragrance deal with TAG Body Spray and collaboration with Norwegian cognac house Birkedal Hartmann to create Conjure cognac.

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap

Master P
From growing up in the projects in New Orleans, Louisiana, No Limit Records founder, rapper, athlete, film and TV actor Master P (real name: Percy Miller) has built a multi-million dollar empire that includes being the founder of P. Miller Enterprises, an entertainment and financial conglomerate and Better Black TV . He has presided over a business empire that has included No Limit Records, Bout It Inc., No Limit Clothing, No Limit Films, No Limit Sports Management, PM. Properties and Advantage Travel. Master P is also a published author, releasing the 2007 book, 'Guaranteed Success.' Not only that, he is actively involved in bettering schools and communities, and was given the key to the city of Memphis, Tennessee in 2008.

Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond Rap